Ride-sharing firm Grab Philippines said it will offer monetary reward to transport network vehicle service partners who will not join the 12-hour offline plan as part of the “transport holiday” tomorrow.
At least 35,000 ride-hailing operators and drivers are expected to participate in the transport holiday organized by some TNVS groups to protest against “oppressive” policies of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Some of the drivers will temporarily stop their operations and will go offline from 6 a.m. up to 6 p.m. as a form of protest.
According to Grab Philippines spokesperson Nicka Hosaka, driver-partners who will join the transport holiday will not be penalized but those who will continue their service will be given incentives through #TuloyPasada Reward.
“In light of the reported TNVS transport holiday organized by some groups, Grab reminds its driver-partners of their commitment to service the Filipino commuting public. To help support this commitment, Grab offers #TuloyPasada Reward to driver-partners who will continue to service the commuters on 6 a.m. up until 6 p.m.,” Hosaka said.
Apart from going offline in Grab’s platform tomorrow, other groups will stage simultaneous protest actions in Quezon City, Manila, and Pasay City during the whole-day event organized by Laban TNVS, a network of TNVS drivers and operators, commuters group Defend Job Philippines, and the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection.
Following Grab’s statement, the organizers clarified that they are not forcing all the drivers and operators from going offline, adding that they “respect and maintain the freedom of their peers to either join or not the protest for the benefit of the riding public.”
But the groups reiterated that the transport holiday will push through and majority of the TNVS groups will participate and will stop their operations.
The Laban TNVS explained that the upcoming transport holiday is a way for the drivers and operators to be heard on their call to address the “problematic” requirements and processing in TNVS application, the increasing numbers of apprehended ride-hailing drivers, and the ban on hatchback units to operate as TNVS.
Grab and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board had earlier urged TNVS groups to raise their issues and concerns through proper forum and told them to refrain from doing actions that could negatively impact the riding public. (Alexandria Dennise San Juan)
